If "Lukoil" closes, there will be no fuel in days. Bulgaria is left to its own devices. The rulers do not protect the national interest. Our homeland is facing a serious and unprecedented situation that could lead to a fuel shortage and a sharp increase in prices.
At a briefing in parliament, the deputy chairman of "Vazrazhdane" and the National Assembly, Tsoncho Ganev, expressed concern that the rulers are hiding information about the real quantities of fuel in the country. The reason for his reaction was the government's decision to temporarily suspend the export of diesel and jet fuel, with the reason being that the available stocks are sufficient.
„An extraordinary finance committee was convened to discuss a draft decision by which Bulgaria bans the export of fuels. The situation is, to put it mildly, worrying - at the last minute and without arguments, an export ban is being introduced“, said Ganev. He called on the Minister of Economy, the Minister of Energy and representatives of the services to explain what necessitates such a measure.
According to him, „Vazrazhdane“ requested official data on fuel stocks, but they were not provided. „We were refused an analysis, which, according to Yordan Tsonev, was read and analyzed by the committee. They want this decision to be made as quickly as possible, without knowing the real state of the reserves," Ganev also said.
According to him, the country is facing a serious and unprecedented situation that could lead to a fuel shortage and a sharp increase in prices.
„The crisis will deepen, and the government is not taking any concrete measures. For years, we have been warning that actions regarding ownership and sanctions against „Lukoil“ could lead to the refinery being shut down,“ Ganev pointed out.
He recalled that according to European requirements, Bulgaria must maintain fuel reserves for at least 90 days, but according to „Vazrazhdane“ these quantities are currently not available.
„Apparently, the reserves are empty. Half of them are kept outside the country - in Austria, the Netherlands and other countries. If a crisis occurs, there is no way this fuel will reach Bulgaria“, the MP also said. Tsoncho Ganev warned that if the issue with the ownership of the company “Lukoil International“, based in Austria, is not clarified by November 20, the refinery in Burgas may stop working.
“Then we will not talk about expensive fuels – there simply will not be any. And there is nowhere to import“, he said.
“Vazrazhdane“ announced that they will not support the decision to ban the export of fuels in its current form, since there is a lack of transparency and specific data on stocks.
“Bulgaria is left to its own devices. The rulers do not protect the national interest and do not seek derogations (exceptions), as other European countries have done“, Ganev summarized.